Fragments From Floyd

You were probably thinking I'd gone too long without posting a bug picture, now weren't you? One can only take so much of that lovely mountain-autumn imagery, after all. (More to come later this morning, actually.)

This shot of a Praying Mantis comes from outside the Jacksonville Center a few weeks back. I just happened to have my (excuse me: Ann's) camera handy when this 6 inch aerodynamic disaster came fluttering by. (And they say bumblebees are poorly designed for flight! Mantises fly about like turkeys: only in emergencies and for short distances.)

And it occurred to me, as I was taking this picture, that of all the insects, Praying Mantises seem somehow aloof. Holier than thou. With their ramrod-straight backs, distainful turning of the head as they look at you with their unfixed gaze through knobby cold eyes. Whilst praying. Who do they think they are, anyhow?

They should, however, get the award for good posture--don't you think?